The School Lunchbox: Now Fresh and Green (as in healthy not eco). Eat Me!

If dinner is a never-ending occupation, then school lunch is too. I do not know of a trick to get an empty lunchbox home from school. I do know I feel satisfied when ev eats a healthy lunch. Here are a few alternative lunch ideas I have noted from ev and pals’ snack/lunchbox hits:

• Wraps  From tortillas to mountain bread, ev loves them rolled with melted cheese, spread with pureed beans like burritos (thinly to avoid ooze), or, like little friend Bea eats, with cold cheese and ham.
• Pancakes Little flapjacks are a snack staple for us. I like the idea of milk, butter, eggs, flour and minimal to no sugar all-in-one. Homemade is always a plus with great recipes from buttermilk to scotch, even ricotta.  Breakfast makes leftovers for a change!
• Steamed Veggie Bites  My friend Stef steams broccoli florets for her kids’ lunch. They eat them all up.  Ev does too.  A few drops of olive oil, drops of lemon (just a few!) and a pinch of salt leaves an empty container every time. Try carrots, green beans or your child’s favorite veggie (don’t forget the pinch of salt).
• Carrots, Celery and Dip  These classics may be obvious, but the how could turn the yuck to a munch (nothing like a grainy mouth full of stalks and roots). Peel the outer layer of celery to lose the strings. Cut both thin and short for little mouths (see post in lunchbox series).  Opt for organic carrots with tops still on; you may find carrots sticks more often in your lunch too.  A tasty hummus will dip nicely.

Try new food ideas at home first!

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